Strawberry plant named ‘Reliance’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘RELIANCE’. This new strawberry plant named ‘RELIANCE’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its large to very large fruit size; red to dark red fruit color; high productivity; medium sized plant; calyx that tends to be more equal to the diameter of the fruit; uniformly shaped, conical berries with good flavor; and relatively short fruiting trusses.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘RELIANCE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘RELIANCE’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2000 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) in an ongoing breeding program. Due to the combining of the reciprocal seed lots, it is unknown as to which parent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Monterey County, Calif. in the summer of 2002. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in both San Joaquin County, Calif., and Siskiyou County, Calif. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Monterey County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘RELIANCE’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to produce a strong vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the spring, summer and fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘RELIANCE’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Large to very large fruit size;     -   2. Red to dark red fruit color;     -   3. High productivity;     -   4. Medium sized plant;     -   5. Calyx that tends to be more equal to the diameter of the         fruit;     -   6. Uniformly shaped, conical berries with good flavor; and     -   7. Relatively short fruiting trusses

The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’ are the strawberry variety ‘PS-4634’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) and the strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,583). In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-4634’ and ‘PS-5298’, the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No.19,583)  1. Color of mature Ranges from Ranges from Red fruit red to dark red red to orange-red  2. Average fruit 27.4 27.6 24.6 weight (gm)  3. Marketable yield 1,646 1,521 1,445 (gm/plt)  4. Size of calyx in Ranges from Same size Slightly larger relation to fruit same size to diameter slightly smaller  5. Plant size Medium Large Large  6. Stolon Weak Ranges from Weak anthocyanin intensity weak to medium  7. Interveinal leaf Medium Ranges from Ranges from blistering medium to medium to strong strong  8. Foliage gloss Medium Ranges from Ranges from medium to medium to strong strong  9. Petiole length (cm) 19.4 23.7 24.4 10. Petiolule length 15.5 9.4 12.3 (mm) 11. Terminal leaf Obtuse Acute Acute shape of base 12. Terminal leaf Rounded Obtuse Obtuse shape of teeth 13. Fruiting truss 29.9 39.0 36.3 length at maturity (cm) 14. Fruiting truss Strong Ranges from Medium pubescence medium to weak

For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

‘RELIANCE’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1269’ by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 ‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1269-2 (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 9,903) No. 10,686) 1. Color of mature Ranges from Ranges from Red fruit red to dark red red to orange-red 2. Fruit size Ranges from Medium Medium large to very large 3. Plant size Medium Large Large 4. Fruit skin Ranges from Medium Medium firmness medium to strong 5. Fruit gloss Medium Ranges from Ranges from medium to strong medium to weak 6. Fruit High Ranges from Medium productivity medium to high

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘RELIANCE’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’ were taken in Monterey County, Calif., and are approximately 8 to 9 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of June 2008;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical leaf structure of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008;

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008;

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘RELIANCE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘RELIANCE’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, the characteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety included in Tables 1-9 of the present invention, may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘RELIANCE’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2008 growing season in Monterey County, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘RELIANCE’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during the middle of October 2007 and planted approximately 3 weeks later in Monterey County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 8 to 10 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2005 through 2008 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (2007).

The following Tables 3 to 9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘RELIANCE’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-4634’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) and strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No 19,583).

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583) Color of mature RHS 46A RHS 45B RHS 45A fruit Ranges from red Red to Red to dark red orange-red Color of internal RHS 44A RHS 44C RHS 44B flesh Medium red Ranges from Medium red medium to light red Fruit length (cm) 4.7 4.9 4.6 Fruit width (cm) 4.2 4.1 4.0 Fruit length/width 1.12 1.19 1.15 ratio Slightly longer Slightly longer Slightly longer than broad than broad than broad Calyx diameter 3.9 4.4 4.2 (cm) Average fruit 27.4 27.6 24.6 weight (gm) Achene color, RHS 162B RHS 162C RHS 160B shaded side Greyed-yellow Greyed-yellow Greyed-yellow group group group Achene color, RHS 184B RHS 184C RHS 184C sun exposed side Greyed-purple Greyed-purple Greyed-purple group group group Achenes per berry 340 359 268 Achene weight (mg) 0.60 0.45 0.50 Marketable fruit 1,646 1,521 1,445 yield (gm/plt) Fruit Size Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from large to very large to very medium to large large large Predominant fruit Conical Conical Conical shape Difference in shapes Slight Moderate Moderate between primary and secondary fruit Band without Narrow Narrow Ranges from achenes absent to very narrow Unevenness of fruit Weak Ranges from Weak surface weak to medium Evenness of fruit Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from color slightly slightly slightly uneven to even uneven to even uneven to even Fruit glossiness Medium Strong Ranges from medium to strong Insertion of achenes Level with Level with Level with surface surface surface Insertion of calyx Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from level with to in level with to in level with to the basin the basin above fruit Attitude of the Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from calyx spreading spreading spreading to reflexed to reflexed to reflexed Size of calyx Ranges from Same size Slightly larger in relation same size to fruit diameter to slightly smaller Adherence of calyx Strong Strong Strong Firmness of fruit Ranges from Strong Ranges from skin medium to strong medium to strong Firmness of fruit Ranges from Medium Ranges from flesh medium to firm medium to firm Keeping quality Good Very good Good Distribution of red Marginal and Marginal and Marginal and color of the flesh central central central Hollow center Moderate Strong Moderate expression Fruit flavor Good Very good Good Soluble solids (% 8.8 9.6 9.6 brix) Time of first Medium Early Early flowering Flowering period Early to mid Late February Late February March to early March to early March to December to December to December Time of first Medium Early Early harvesting Harvest period Early to mid Late March to Late March to April to early April to early April to December December December Type of bearing Partially Not Partially everbearing remontant everbearing

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583) Plant height (cm) 26.5 31.9 34.1 Plant spread (cm) 33.8 36.7 40.0 Crowns/plant 5.3 6.0 6.7 Plant size Medium Large Large Plant habit Globose Globose Globose Plant density Medium Medium Medium Plant vigor Medium Strong Strong

TABLE 5 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583) Stolon color RHS 146C RHS 144A RHS 145A Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green group group group Stolon anthocyanin RHS 180C RHS 182D RHS 182D coloration Greyed-red Greyed-red Greyed-red group group group Stolon anthocyanin Weak Ranges from Weak intensity weak to medium Average stolon number 1.1 2.7 0.9 per plant from the fruiting field Stolon diameter at 4.3 4.5 4.1 bract (mm) Stolon pubescence Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from medium to medium to medium to strong weak strong Attitude of hairs Slightly Upward Slightly outward outward

TABLE 6 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583) Foliage: Color of upper RHS 137B RHS 137A RHS 137B surface Medium green Medium green Medium green Color of under side RHS 147C RHS 147C RHS 147C Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green group group group Shape in cross Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from section strongly slightly slightly concave to flat concave to flat concave to flat Interveinal Medium Ranges from Ranges from blistering medium to medium to strong strong Leaf glossiness Medium Ranges from Ranges from medium to medium to strong strong Number of leaflets Three Three Three Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 9.5 10.5 10.2 Width (cm) 9.1 8.0 8.8 Length/width ratio 1.04 1.32 1.16 Ranges from as Much longer Much longer long as broad to than broad than broad longer than broad Serrations/leaf 22.1 21.9 19.1 Leaf size Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from medium to large medium to large medium to large Shape of base Obtuse Acute Acute Shape of teeth Rounded Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Petiole Color RHS 145A RHS 145A RHS 144A Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green group group group Petiole length (cm) 19.4 23.7 24.4 Petiole diameter 5.0 5.4 5.4 (mm) Petiolule color RHS 145A RHS 145A RHS 144A Yellow green Yellow green Yellow green group group group Petiolule length 15.5 9.4 12.3 (mm) Petiole pubescence Moderate Ranges from Ranges from moderate to moderate to sparce sparce Attitude of hairs Ranges from Slightly Strongly upward to outward outward slightly outward Stipule: Color RHS 146B RHS 146B RHS 146B Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green group group group Anthocyanin RHS 61B RHS 58A RHS 61B coloration Red-purple Red-purple Red-purple group group group Anthocyanm Medium Strong Weak intensity Length (mm) 19.4 19.5 23.5 Width (mm) 8.3 9.5 9.8

TABLE 7 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583) Anthocyanin RHS 181B RHS 182D RHS 182C coloration Greyed-red group Greyed-red group Greyed-red group Anthocyanin Ranges from Absent or very Ranges from intensity medium to weak weak medium to weak Length at 29.9 39.0 36.3 maturity (cm) Position relative Beneath the Level with Level with to to foliage foliage beneath the foliage Pubescence Strong Ranges from Medium medium to weak Attitude at Prostrate Prostrate Prostrate first pick

TABLE 8 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583) Petal color RHS 155C RHS 155C RHS 155C White White White Sepal color RHS 137B RHS 137A RHS 137B Green group Green group Green group Receptacle color RHS 147C RHS 147C RHS 147C Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green group group group Corolla diameter 30.6 34.2 31.8 (mm) Calyx diameter 32.0 36.6 36.5 (mm) Petal length (mm) 12.3 12.8 12.0 Petal width (mm) 12.8 12.5 12.5 Petal length/width 0.96 1.03 0.95 ratio Petals/flower 5.9 6.0 6.4 Sepal length (mm) 12.1 13.2 13.1 Sepal width (mm) 4.8 5.2 4.5 Sepal length/width 2.53 2.53 2.92 ratio Sepals/flower 11.6 12.3 13.0 Size of calyx Ranges from Larger Larger relative to corolla same size to larger Size of inner Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from calyx relative to same size same size to same size to outer calyx to smaller larger smaller Relative position Overlapping Overlapping Overlapping of petals

TABLE 9 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’ (U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat. Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583) Two spotted spider Moderately Moderately Moderately mite susceptible susceptible susceptible Flower thrips Moderately Moderately Moderately resistant susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible resistant susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Angular leaf spot Susceptible Susceptible Moderately susceptible 

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘RELIANCE’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 